Wealth and Status

Proper23 St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, October 13, 2024 by Sr. Annette Fricke The gospel of Mark begins with the words, “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” In Mark’s style, he gets to the point quickly, or as many English translations put it, immediately. That is the word that ties Mark’s stories about Jesus together, the words and immediately or immediately. Mark does not care about genealogy, angels at Jesus’ birth, Jesus’ circumcision, the flight to Egypt to escape the grip of Herod, or even Jesus in the temple. Mark continues after this first sentence with, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” Not exaggerated much to say that Mark reads like this: The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, prepare his way, and John the Baptist appears preaching a baptism of repentance. This is what Mark says is important, important to the extent that these themes continue to pop up in Chapter 10. Last Sunday’s gospel lessons were about marriage and divorce and Jesus’ correction of the practice of men could just write off his wife and stating clearly that should not have been allowed. Jesus tells us that we should be at peace with each another. Again, those words ring out, “Prepare the way of the Lord. Repent. Be reconciled. Be in the right relationship with each other. Mark seems to understand that we need those words to remind us that repentance is the way of the Lord. The gospel of John actually claims Jesus saying, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life” because they really are related terms. Today, Jesus brings up the topic of money (pause) again. In fact, Jesus brings up money in all four gospels 29 times. 29 times. Why? Because it is a huge obstacle to living the way of Jesus. Jesus talks about the lack of status of women and children and wealthy men having status. Look at that story again. What happened when Jesus told him to get rid of his possessions? To give money to the poor? Jesus wasn’t putting him down; he was simply giving an answer to the man’s question. What must I do to inherit eternal life? Jesus loved him and told him the truth. Money and possessions can keep us from relationships with people. They can be an obstacle. Being an important person in society can separate us from those who do not have status. When I was on my internship, the pastor had me take food to a struggling family about the time the Chrysler Corporation was failing in the early 1980s. The couple thanked me and the church. I did as I was told and invited them to church. They said that they did not feel they had the proper clothes to wear to church. So, they stayed away. Another, who was an active member of the church was laid off. I went to visit him as well. He was not concerned as much as our pastor. Status still matters in some circles. My supervising pastor also told me to not go into the black neighborhood. He considered it to be dangerous. I drove through anyway. A guy from another class who worked with me at the mental health center in Columbus, Ohio complained about the segregated congregations, blacks in one church, whites in another, wondering if ever the two could unite in one church. Those of us who saw clearly the chasm between those who had and those who had not, those who were black and those who were white and because we fought the status quo were not chosen to lead congregations but offered teaching degrees. We were taught to be quiet. Be quiet and don’t ruffle any feathers. We had no status. Later in Mark 12, Jesus is complimented that he teaches the way of God in accordance with the truth. It is also accurate to say that the way of Jesus is the way of the cross. Jesus is on the way when he asks his disciples, “Who do people say I am?” It was on the way that the disciples were arguing about who was the greatest. They are on the way to Jerusalem when Jesus gives the 3rd prediction that he will be crucified. We see the contrast between Jesus on the way to the cross and the rich man who is unable to part with his possessions. We see where Jesus is singled out as the one who is not like the rest. In the end, at the cross, he is very alone. What would he say to us today as a congregation? What would he say to us as individuals? How faithful are we to Jesus, or are we simply lukewarm? These are questions we should be asking ourselves daily. Are we following Jesus on the way and in the way of the cross where we learn to love others as God has loved us in Jesus. Not moaning or complaining but doing what we are able. Loving our neighbors.